For Greene County News
NEW ORLEANS – An agricultural educator at the Greene County Career Center recently received some national recognition when he was named one of six individuals to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher Mentor Award. Michael Spahr received the honors at the NAAE annual convention in New Orleans on Nov. 19.
Spahr has been teaching the Power Equipment Mechanics program at the Greene County Career Center for 10 years. He also serves as a guest instructor at Wright State University in a program for students getting their career and technical education license. Spahr became a teacher after spending almost 20 years in industry as a diesel mechanic.
“Spahr takes the time to work one-on-one with his colleagues to provide support,” a NAEE release stated. “In 2012, he became a Teacher Induction Program (TIP) mentor, and began working with new agriculture teachers all across Ohio. Although he makes as many face-to-face contacts as possible, he also uses technology to connect with mentees areas when travel isn’t feasible.”
“Over the years I have had some really good mentors and some really poor mentors and unfortunately, I found this to be true in education as well,” Spahr said in the release. “After having poor mentors, in industry and education, I have always tried to be a good mentor to anyone that I have worked with (students, former students, teachers, and industry professionals). From my experience a good mentor can be the difference in sticking with a career or making a life change.”
